The Fifth Commandment EXPANDED {invisible on myspace}

This is not for Atheist Nexus, but I might as well. More of my crap rants seem to get read here...

Yes, I'm an Atheist, but this bothers me.
The elderly are not tax burdens.

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which The Lord your God gives you." (Exodus 20:12 RSV)*

What would Jesus say about the Social Darwinism going on in America???
What would Jesus say about all these disposable people running around? Okay, I'll give it to you, He would condemn abortions. Fine, happy? He would also shake His head at W for vetoing SCHIP expansion. Why? Because investing in children is investing in America's future. Sounds tired, but oh well.

The basic question Jesus would ask, I'll ask for Him, "is your tax money more important than people???" The GOP have chosen tax money. Because the Religious Right prostitutes Christianity with this party, they are hypocrites. They make a good noise about the unborn, but in private they say racist things about mothers who need welfare money. Your sister, your daughter needs help and you call it shameful??? My adhd is showing, but oh well.

I say this, I am no one:
"You have heard it said, Honor thy father and thy mother, but I say unto you, whoever is old enough to be your father IS your father; and whoever is old enough to be your mother IS your mother. Therefore, do not let your father beg on the street, and do not allow your mother to dig through the garbage for food."
*http://www.keyway.ca/htm2003/20030322.htm

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I'm assuming some of your vague statements are regarding sweatshops and outsourcing? What you fail to acknowledge is that, in the severe case of sweatshops, those that work there often make exponentially more than those that work for local companies/farms/whatever. They use the money to support their families and improve their quality of life. Now, the working conditions are admittedly horrible in sweatshops, which is what I think needs to be changed. However, any claims of exploitation, and how they're "taking advantage" is unreasonable. They choose to work there, they aren't dragged in at gun point.

As for outsourcing, it's brought many countries and nations that otherwise would've fell between the cracks of a developing world back into the race. I know quite a few filipinos through the internet that thank "God"(figurative usage) for BPO, as it's improved the entire country, not just their lives. The Phillipines wouldn't even be on the international business map if it wasn't for BPO.

As for the non-Americans living in this country being exploited, I completely agree with you. Illegal Mexican immigrants should just be legalized. It would solve a variety of problems, and greatly improve the economy with a new, HUGE wave of income tax. And yes, they would also be paid a fair and just wage.

This doesn't conflict with my earlier view, because what people make/should make here is quite different from the economic status of other countries in regards to outsourcing.

Universal healthcare has pros and cons. There are various complaints about the waiting lists involved, as well as a new economic strain on the government. However, if you're among the populace that thinks there should be OPTIONAL universal healthcare, and also private healthcare available, I'll completely agree with you.

However, anyone who thinks ANYTHING is all-pro or all-con is delusional.

And I'm really lost on these "basic needs" you're referring to. If you could expand on that concept, that'd be great.

However, I will address welfare again. Welfare was intended as a stepping stone, just like unemployment benefits, not as a means of everyday living for the rest of your life. Can you honestly say it's fair that a person can apply for welfare, claim the father does not live with them(When he does.), and then get a job under the table to continue gaining the maximum benefits? You may think this is an imaginary issue that fundies have made up, but it isn't. I see it everyday. They're my neighbors, coworkers, etc.

I live in the inner city. I'm not some spoiled, rich conservative. My family barely makes ends meet, but I will honestly say that it's mainly of their own poor financial choices and decisions, which actually tie into their religion(long story).

I'm not saying racism doesn't exist anymore. But are you going to acknowledge the existence of reverse-racism in this country? Because it's still racism, no matter what way you spin it. It doesn't matter if it benefits a specific group of people or hinders them, it's still racism for singling them out in the first place.

There is too much to discuss. 1: Non-Americans are exploited here and abroad by First World Companies. 2: Our wages are depressed because of their exploitation. 3: Not enough people {white conservatives} are complaining about this, because they think it's fair.

Something else, your Science is off. I am not going to look it up, but there is a difference between K strategists and R strategists. This can apply to us. If a population of humans is deprived of basic needs, we multiply like rabbits. If a population of humans has plenty, not only food but medical care as well, our numbers begin to diminish... I heard fundies on the radio get it wrong about Japan... Japan's declining population has NOTHING TO DO WITH ABORTIONS... it has everything to do with how advanced they are...

There is still too much racism going on. Not only the treatment of blacks in this country, but how our nation deals with Mexico.

When it comes to the elderly, there's an oncoming crisis. Social security is going to fail, and to keep up with these benefits and payments, our generation, or the generation that will succeed us, will have to foot the bill.

While I believe wholeheartedly in respecting the elderly, it's outrageous to suggest that I, or anyone, should have to shell out 50% of their pay in taxes to support the baby boomers, which I've heard thrown around by economists as the ballpark number that it would take to support them all. However, nor should we just kick them to the streets. There needs to be some kind of balance, but I completely reject any notion that the financial responsibility lies solely on the working class.

As for programs like Welfare, they're completely abused. The intent was proper, but the system itself is flawed and needs heavy reformation. It isn't the poor, downtrodden single mothers that soak up most of that cash flow, it's people who are intentionally milking the system for every free cent they can get.

At some point, a person is responsible for his/herself, and that point is adulthood. A little help now and then doesn't hurt, but as I said earlier, it is not my responsibility, nor anyone else's, to pick up after everyone else.

There needs to be personal accountability at some point, or else individualism and personal achievement dies.